Scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz have been working hard to set up a lab to test for coronavirus in the community and it has finally paid off.In three months scientists have set up a COVID-19 testing program that will be able to test up to 200-to-400 people per day. "The first people that we tested, they were off-campus. Samples coming in from Santa Cruz Community Health," said Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry.The UC Santa Cruz molecular lab has 11 researchers carrying out tests with 24-to-48 hour turn around for results. They can currently run 184 samples a day but if there is a surge in cases they could ramp up testing."In that case, push that to a factor of two, just below 400 tests per day," said Professor Stone.Testing capacity is an important factor in moving closer to easing state and local restrictions. The county would have to have the ability to provide 1.5 tests per thousand residents each day."The tests don't necessarily have to be done but we have to have the capacity to do that on a daily basis for long term," said Dr. Gail Newel, Santa Cruz County Health Officer.The testing program is automated with robotic sample handling."And that's actually been part of the really fun sort of aspect of this work, is putting that technology in place, getting it up and running," said StoneAlthough the testing is automated, an additional six people will be added to the workforce. "We stand behind our original mission to do everything we can in contributing to the welfare of recovery efforts for the greater community."The cost for the program is being absorbed by UCSC but they are seeking additional donations. You can go to their website.